Bus driver in SCTEX crash tested negative for drugs, alcohol —police

The bus driver in the recent crash along Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) that killed 10 people has tested negative for the use of illegal drugs and alcohol, the Tarlac City Police Station said.

According to the police, the driver of Solid North Bus Transit Inc. has undergone alcohol breath analyzer test and mandatory drug testing as provided by the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

“The results for both tests were negative,” Tarlac City Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Romel Santos said in a statement.

On May 1, ten persons, including four children, were killed and more than 37 others were injured in the multiple-vehicle collision at the Tarlac City toll plaza of the expressway.

Operations of the Pangasinan Solid North Transit Inc. have been suspended for 30 days following the fatal multiple-vehicle collision.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday announced that the government will now require all drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) to undergo mandatory drug testing following a series of recent road accidents.

Dizon said he is set to sign a department order within the day, which will be “effective immediately.”

“Ako po ay galit na galit nung narinig ko sa news na ‘yung hinuling driver ng Solid North ay ayaw daw magpa-drug test. Wala po siyang choice… Hindi pwedeng hindi ka pumayag. Nakapatay ka ng sampung tao, hindi ka papayag na magpa-drug test? Pwede ba ‘yun? Parang katawa-tawa naman 'yun,” Dizon said in a press conference.

(I was very angry when I heard on the news that the arrested driver of Solid North didn't want to take a drug test. He has no choice. He can't refuse. He killed ten people, but he’s refusing to take a drug test? That’s ridiculous.)

Dizon said that the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be working with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to implement the order.

The DOTr chief also pointed out that the mandatory drug testing will be on a regular basis and may be conducted every 90 days.—AOL, GMA Integrated News